Tag Archives: English folk music

“Trad Boys, Trad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do….?” Liege & Lief remembered.

I’ve said it before: 1969 was a very good year. No, seriously. From the end of 1968 until the Altamont fiasco in December 1969, I had more music than most people get in their lifetimes. It was nuts, in the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on “Trad Boys, Trad Boys, Whatcha Gonna Do….?” Liege & Lief remembered.

Stick In The Wheel’s From Here

If I had known earlier about From Here, Stick in the Wheel’s debut full-length release, it probably would have earned a spot on my 2015 Top 10 list. As it is, it’s still one of my favorite albums from the … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Stick In The Wheel’s From Here

Jethro Tull’s Merry Christmas from Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

In the winter of 2003 Jethro Tull issued their first full-fledged Christmas album. It was called, creatively enough, The Jethro Tull Christmas Album and it featured Tullish renditions of some classic carols, along with a selection of songs written by … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Jethro Tull’s Merry Christmas from Ian Anderson and Jethro Tull

Steeleye Span’s Wintersmith

It would be easy to say that a collaboration between Steeleye Span and Terry Pratchett was always inevitable, given their respective histories and their proclaimed admiration of each other’s work.  It may be an example of retrospective inevitability now that … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on Steeleye Span’s Wintersmith

June Tabor, Iain Ballamy & Huw Warren’s Quercus

In a world filled with young divas and wannabes whose role models are the imitators of Whitney Houston’s double-barreled melisma and the manufactured pop and hip-hop princesses who can’t sing without auto-tune, it’s good to know that there are still … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on June Tabor, Iain Ballamy & Huw Warren’s Quercus

Carthy, Hardy, Farrell & Young’s Laylam

Eliza Carthy was a young up-and-comer when I first encountered her playing fiddle and singing backup in 1996 on her mother Norma Waterson’s self-titled solo album. In the ensuing couple of decades she has become one of the leading forces … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Carthy, Hardy, Farrell & Young’s Laylam

Mick Ryan and Paul Downes’ Away in the West

I have long been a fan of Mick Ryan, who previously was teamed with Pete Harris, who provided sensitive backing for Mick’s songs. On this album we find Mick paired with Paul Downes, who also comes with a revered reputation … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Mick Ryan and Paul Downes’ Away in the West

Frank Turner’s Love, Ire & Song

Frank Turner is a rabble-rousing folk-rocker who blends old-school ideals with 21st century sensibilities. This quick-witted, silver-tongued Brit combines the social conscience and wit of Woody Guthrie, the wry populism of Billy Bragg and the anthemic melodies and fist-pumping choruses … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged , | Comments Off on Frank Turner’s Love, Ire & Song

Isambarde’s Living History

This is the third release from Isambarde – or ‘the Bardys’, as they have affectionately come to be known. When the album came up for review I jumped at the chance, for I was fortunate enough to get my grubby … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Isambarde’s Living History

Blowzabella’s Octomento

Now here’s something we haven’t see in far too long a time – a new recording by Blowzabella. Their 1990 recording Vanilla was their most recent one. A true English dance band, Blowzabella was also a prolific producer of albums … Continue reading

Posted in Music | Tagged | Comments Off on Blowzabella’s Octomento